Just a few months in the past, we spent an extended weekend on the 61-room Cheval Blanc St. Barts (or St. Barth, or St. Barths, when you want). For these not acquainted, St. Barts is a Caribbean island belonging to France. The journey was for a special day, because it was my mother-in-law’s birthday, and we have been additionally taking our son, so it was a multi-generational journey.
Whereas Ford and his mother have been to St. Barts earlier than, it was my first time, so I used to be curious to see what all of the fuss was about. Sadly St. Barts doesn’t have any factors resorts (in any respect), however has a wide range of properly regarded properties. Past Cheval Blanc, there’s Eden Roc (Oetker Assortment), Le Guanahani (Rosewood), and Le Toiny (Relais & Chateaux), simply to call a couple of.
Since they hadn’t stayed there earlier than, we determined to guide Cheval Blanc, which is the boutique lodge group that’s owned by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). We’ve had nice stays at Cheval Blanc Paris and Cheval Blanc Maldives Randheli, so have been wanting ahead to testing the model’s Caribbean property. Enjoyable reality — that is the one property within the Caribbean with France’s “Palace” distinction.
My takeaway from this keep was principally constructive, although there have been a few issues I didn’t love. On the one hand, the lodge is on a fantastic seashore, and has impeccable service and meals. Alternatively, I believed the lodge lacked a vibe and was just a little too sleepy for my liking (which is saying rather a lot, as a result of I’m under no circumstances a partier). Anyway, let’s get into the evaluation, and everybody can draw their very own conclusions.
Impressions of St. Barts
Having by no means been to St. Barts earlier than, I didn’t know what precisely to count on. I knew it was an enormous scene, however didn’t actually get what made it completely different than different locations within the Caribbean. Effectively, I rapidly came upon, and I can completely see the attraction of the place, because it’s completely completely different than wherever else I’ve been within the Caribbean.
For one, St. Barts is bodily a shocking island (although that’s true of another Caribbean islands as properly). It’s not simply that the seashores are fairly, however the panorama on the entire is breathtaking, particularly with how mountainous it’s. At instances I felt like I used to be in Hawaii.
As an aviation geek, St. Barts Airport (SBH) can also be one in all a sort.
However what actually units aside St. Barts from different Caribbean islands is how a lot of a scene there’s outdoors resorts. The capital city of Gustavia is ridiculously cute, and there are additionally infinite eating places. It’s actually the winter model of Saint-Tropez within the South of France, and at instances you would possibly really suppose that you just’re there.
Now, there are some issues as properly. For one, the individuals who go to St. Barts make for… attention-grabbing folks watching. I imply, it sort of feels as when you moved your complete Higher East Aspect of New York to the Caribbean. And every little thing displays that.
Reserving Cheval Blanc St. Barts
Nearly all the posh resorts in St. Barts aren’t low cost, and are in an identical value vary. Since there have been 4 of us, we ended up reserving a two bed room suite. At many resorts, a two bed room suite prices considerably greater than two visitor rooms, although at Cheval Blanc St. Barts it’s usually lower than double the worth of a visitor room, in order that’s good.
For our weekend keep, we spent ~€2,000 Euro per night time. Clearly that’s fairly a bit, however truthfully, ~$1,000 per room is what you’ll pay on the Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica these days, so…
One of the best ways to guide a Cheval Blanc property is thru a journey advisor affiliated with Virtuoso, as you’ll pay the identical price, and can obtain a number of value-add perks, together with the next (and these will be mixed with most promotions being provided by the property):
- Improve on arrival, topic to availability
- $100 property credit score
- Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability
Ordinarily breakfast would even be a Virtuoso perk, however that’s included with all charges on the lodge.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts location
Cheval Blanc St. Barts is situated on Flamands Seashore, on the northwest portion of the island. The lodge is in a quieter a part of the island than Eden Roc, for instance, which is situated proper by the airport and a number of other day golf equipment. It’s simple to get across the island, and personally I’d suggest renting a automotive, so as to discover by yourself, given the quantity of pure magnificence.
In terms of attending to the lodge on arrival, the lodge is a couple of 10-minute drive from the airport. The lodge provides friends a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, so that you’ll be picked up in your arrival and dropped off in your departure. Whereas there’s service to St. Barts from a number of Caribbean airports, essentially the most frequent service is from Sint Maarten on Winair.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts reception & check-in
Upon arrival, we have been greeted on the door of the automotive by reception employees, who rapidly took care of our check-in, whereas the bellmen introduced the luggage to our room. The foyer area is beautiful and open air, and verify in was accomplished inside a few minutes.
At that time we have been walked to our room. Cheval Blanc St. Barts is about on 10 acres, and the setting is elegant. All through the property you virtually really feel such as you’re within the jungle, due to the variety of bushes, whereas additionally being steps from the seashore. The lodge is unfold out throughout many particular person buildings, none greater than two tales tall, so it’s an undeniably peaceable setting.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts visitor room
We booked a two bed room suite at Cheval Blanc St. Barts, and this is available in one in all two configurations — some two bed room suites have a residing space connecting the 2 bedrooms however don’t have an out of doors area, whereas some two bed room suites are primarily two separate rooms with a big, shared outside area.
We have been assigned one of many latter rooms, which means we had two rooms that have been practically an identical, plus a big outside area. That labored nice for our functions. I’ll simply go over the small print of one of many rooms, because the second room was principally the identical.
In comparison with Cheval Blanc’s different properties, the rooms listed below are positively a bit extra understated. Nonetheless, the rooms nonetheless felt luxurious, and the room finishes have been very good. The room featured a brilliant comfy king measurement mattress, a desk with a chair, and an extra chair within the nook (together with every kind of child facilities).
The room had a well provisioned minibar with every kind of drinks for buy, plus a Nespresso machine and a tea kettle. The bottled water was complimentary, and the lodge was pleased to deliver extras.
Cheval Blanc properties actually go all-in in relation to welcome facilities, and this lodge isn’t any exception. The welcome amenity included a scrumptious cake, contemporary fruit, and a bottle of Ruinart champagne. I suppose that’s true of many luxurious resorts in France usually — whereas they’re not low cost, in addition they don’t lower corners in relation to the visitor expertise.
Previous the bed room was the toilet, which had double sinks, a walk-in bathe, and a bathroom in a separate room.
Toiletries have been all Cheval Blanc branded, and there was no scarcity of them.
The room additionally had a generously sized closet space.
Along with the indoor area, there was an enormous outside area connecting the 2 rooms, with a eating desk that would seat 4, in addition to a loveseat and two chairs.
Housekeeping was thorough, and was supplied day by day. It was cute how each night time with turndown service there was a distinct present, together with issues like pillow mist.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts swimming pools
Cheval Blanc St. Barts has two swimming pools, each overlooking the ocean. The principle pool is close to the middle of the resort by the high-quality eating restaurant and one of many bars, and is the bigger of the 2. The pool has fairly a little bit of seating round it, whether or not you like to lounge or simply sit.
The second pool is situated close to the principle entrance to the seashore, and feels a bit extra personal and secluded.
By St. Barts requirements, that is a powerful pool setup. For instance, Eden Roc doesn’t actually have a pool, however moderately simply has the seashore. St. Barts isn’t actually a “lounge on the pool” vacation spot, however moderately is extra in regards to the seashore, eating places, and day golf equipment.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts seashore
Cheval Blanc St. Barts is about on Flamands Seashore, which is totally beautiful. Whereas the seashore is open to the general public (as are all seashores within the space) it’s in a secluded a part of the island that may be arduous to entry, so it tends to be empty.
I really like how lengthy the seashore is, because it’s nice for taking walks, which have been particularly nice at dawn and sundown.
Cheval Blanc offers service on the seashore, so you may order meals and drinks there. Whereas the seashore is gorgeous, there was one drawback — it was tremendous windy on this seashore, to the purpose that umbrellas couldn’t be used, so you can solely sit there in direct daylight. For that matter, sand was blowing fairly a bit, which made for an disagreeable state of affairs at instances.
What I’m not 100% positive of is that if we simply had unhealthy luck throughout our go to, or if it is a larger concern with this specific seashore, based mostly on its location. Primarily based on doing a little analysis on-line and asking some folks, it appears that evidently Flamands Seashore has a status for being windy.
Clearly the lodge has no management over wind, nevertheless it positively detracted from the expertise, because it wasn’t sensible to really sit on the seashore.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts spa & gymnasium
Cheval Blanc St. Barts has a spa in partnership with Guerlain. It’s a standalone constructing that has 4 therapy rooms, a sauna, an out of doors leisure pavilion, and a boutique. I didn’t use the spa, however you’ll find the spa menu and therapy costs right here.
What I did use was the 24/7 gymnasium at Cheval Blanc St. Barts, which is small however properly appointed for a Caribbean resort. The gymnasium has fashionable tools, together with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, a weight machine, and free weights, in addition to a yoga room within the again.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts La Cabane (breakfast & lunch)
La Cabane is Cheval Blanc St. Barts’ beachside restaurant, open day by day for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served day by day from 7AM till 10:30AM, whereas lunch is served from 12PM till 6PM.
It is a lovely restaurant, as seating is fully outside, with a part of the restaurant being within the sand.
Breakfast is included for all friends on the lodge, and it consists of each a buffet, in addition to the choice to order off a menu, and you may combine and match that as a lot as you’d like. The buffet was small however top quality, with a number of freshly baked bread and pastries, cereal, yogurt, contemporary fruit, chilly cuts, and rather more.
Moreover, the menu contained choices starting from avocado toast with smoked salmon, to crepes, and it was all scrumptious.
I additionally loved the iced espresso and filter espresso at breakfast, although the cappuccinos may’ve been spruced up a bit, for my part.
We additionally had lunch right here in the future, and you’ll find the menu under.
We break up the mahi mahi and seared tuna with sesame dressing, and each have been delectable.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts Tiki Bar (drinks)
Adjoining to La Cabane, you’ll discover Tiki Bar, which is the lodge’s all-day bar. It’s additionally outside, and has fairly a little bit of seating, whether or not you like to take a seat on the bar immediately, or would moderately play a recreation at one of many tables.
The drink listing at Tiki Bar was fairly imaginative, so it’s value stopping right here for a drink, when you can.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts White Bar (drinks)
White Bar is the opposite bar at Cheval Blanc St. Barts, and it’s situated on the most important pool, adjoining to the lodge’s high-quality eating restaurant, La Case. Whereas Tiki Bar is simply open through the day, White Bar stays open at night time.
We stopped right here one night for a drink, and had a Mexican Negroni (one in all their signature drinks) and a unclean martini.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts La Case (dinner)
La Case is Cheval Blanc St. Barts’ high-quality eating restaurant, open nightly from 7PM till 9:30PM. It’s situated proper subsequent to the principle pool, adjoining to White Bar. The idea is described as “an ode to the Caribbean,” and it’s by Jean Imbert. It is a phenomenal restaurant, and is widespread with lodge friends and outsiders alike.
The restaurant overlooks the ocean, and has sliding doorways which are usually open, so you have got a pleasant breeze within the restaurant.
The whole lot in regards to the expertise was prime notch, from the attractive plates and silverware, to the service, to the meals.
You’ll find the dinner menu under.
At the beginning of the meal we have been provided a number of freshly baked bread, with butter that was half pineapple ginger and half rum.
To start out, we break up the yellowfin tuna tartare with crispy rice and candy potato tart.
Then for mains, I had the native yellowfin tuna, whereas Ford and his mother break up the poultry Colombo, which was ready tableside.
Whereas we have been too full to order dessert, we have been nonetheless introduced some tasty treats on the conclusion of the meal.
Whereas not low cost, it was a superb meal, and it’s good to see what a dedication Cheval Blanc has to its eating choices all through its portfolio.
Cheval Blanc St. Barts service
Service at Cheval Blanc St. Barts was uniformly wonderful. Each single frontline worker, from the valets, to the entrance workplace employees, to the restaurant employees, have been pleasant and had a watch for element. Nearly all of the employees on the property are from Metropolitan France, and most have lots of hospitality expertise.
Whereas good service within the first aircraft is superior, nice service restoration is even higher, so let me give an instance of that. One afternoon throughout our keep they began doing a little kind of work on prime of the roof close to our constructing, whereby they gave the impression to be energy washing the roof, or one thing. What primarily occurred is that we couldn’t step out of our room with out strolling via the equal of a unclean bathe. It looks as if that shouldn’t occur whereas a room is occupied, or at the least a visitor needs to be made conscious of this prematurely.
We simply known as the entrance desk about this. They apologized profusely and stated this is able to cease immediately. Positive sufficient, a minute later the work stopped. As an apology, they despatched to each rooms one more bottle of Ruinart champagne, fruit, and sweets, together with an apology notice.
It’s additionally good how upon departure, we got customized baggage tags with Cheval Blanc branding, to take residence.
Backside line
Cheval Blanc St. Barts is a reasonably nice resort, with some quirks. I beloved the resort’s setting, because it’s a sprawling property the place you concurrently really feel such as you’re in lush vegetation and on the seashore. The lodge has impeccable service, scrumptious eating, and a fantastic seashore to stroll on (it was actually windy throughout our keep, so I’m undecided if we simply had unhealthy luck, or if that’s persistently a problem right here).
Now, there are a few issues to pay attention to in regards to the property as properly, although. For one, in comparison with Paris and the Maldives, the St. Barts property isn’t going to really feel fairly as excessive. That’s completely honest, for the reason that aggressive panorama and the vibe is a bit completely different. However on the different properties, there are actually infinite surprises by way of property facilities, room options, and so on., and that’s not fairly the case right here.
One different factor I’d emphasize is that Cheval Blanc is good when you’re searching for a relaxing, sleepy resort. I actually would’ve beloved if Cheval Blanc had some stay music, or one thing, as I type of felt just like the resort lacked a vibe. When you’re searching for a quiet place the place you may learn a guide all hours of the day, then this place is nice.
Nevertheless it’s fairly a distinction to Eden Roc, the place there’s a DJ there all day, and I feel that’s extra in step with the vibe many are searching for in St. Barts. Let me even be clear that I say this as somebody who is a big introvert and never a partier, however there’s one thing good a couple of energetic vibe, and I feel that’s the one factor that was lacking at Cheval Blanc.
What do you make of Cheval Blanc St. Barts?
